Expanding Internet access within the European Union is the primary focus of the European Commission's latest undertaking.
On September 13, 2025, the Zanders-Areal project in Bergisch Gladbach will welcome visitors for a special day of monument opening. This event promises a unique blend of history, art, and urban development, as various attractions and tours are planned throughout the day.
The highlight of the day will be the official handover of an artwork loaned by Wolfgang Heuwinkel to the city. The nature sculpture, now standing on the cleared pedestal of the steam locomotive "Emma", will find its final location in the future Gleispark. Wolfgang Heuwinkel will personally present the artwork as a gift to Mayor Frank Stein during the opening ceremony.
The historic monuments of the former paper factory on Zanders will also reopen to the public on the same day, as part of the Day of Open Monuments. Visitors can expect guided tours, an information event on the current status of the development planning for the Zanders-Areal, and the opening of the Butscha Platz by Mayor Frank Stein and his colleague Anatolii Fedoruk.
The Butscha Platz, located centrally in the future city quarter, nestled between the emerging Rails Park, the Forum building, and the protected power plant, will be a significant focus of the day's events. A blessing of the square by a representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Ukrainian Patriarchate in Cologne) is also planned.
For those interested in art, an exhibition of works by students of the Bergische Kunstschule will be presented in the protected Kalandersaal against the industrial backdrop. Additionally, nine temporary studios for local artists are now in use on the third floor of the workshop building F260. Interested citizens can visit the studios from 1:30 pm and register for guided tours to see the artists' creative spaces and work.
Two thematic tours will be offered: "Urban Development on Zanders - Industrial History Meets Urban Planning" and "Path of Coal." Both tours are suitable for ages 12 and up and require sturdy footwear. Registration for the tours is possible from August 14, 2025.
The Gasthaus Paas will offer a pop-up beer garden and a selection of hearty and sweet dishes at the Old Central Workshop. The hip-hop project "Create Hip-Hop EmPOWERment" of the KREA youth club will perform during the opening. Numerous guests from various partner cities of Bergisch Gladbach will attend the opening.
A special highlight is the city partnership shuffle, which will involve Tanja Heesen, Heinz D. Haun, Norbert Bruchhagen, and a project choir.
The exhibition will be open from 12 pm to 6 pm on the day of the open monument and will have a formal closing ceremony on that day. For more detailed information on guided tours, the opening of Butscha Platz, and the overall development planning associated with the Zanders-Areal project for the Day of Open Monuments 2025, consulting the official event brochure or contacting the local event organizers in the Oder-Spree region is recommended.
[1] For more information, please refer to the official event brochure or contact the local event organizers in the Oder-Spree region.
The Zanders-Areal project's Day of Open Monuments on September 13, 2025, also includes a home-and-garden element, as visitors can explore the newly developed Rails Park and the emergent city quarter, centering on the Butscha Platz. To rounded off their lifestyle experience, they can enjoy a selection of hearty and sweet dishes at the Gasthaus Paas' pop-up beer garden.
